HOLLAND, Mich., May 31 -- The world's largest pickle factory is relishing its 100-year history of producing one of the quirkiest foods to grace consumers' pantries. H.J. Heinz Co. will mark the factory's centennial today with a plaque dedication and picnic in the western Michigan town of Holland. Heinz will also donate $10,000 to the Holland Community Foundation.
Company founder Henry J. Heinz was seeking a manufacturing site in 1896 for pickles, vinegar and other products. The site had to have shipping ports to Chicago to allow for Midwest expansion. With its rail facilities and Lake Michigan access, Holland impressed the company representatives. Heinz committed to build a pickle factory if local growers would pledge 300 acres of cucumbers. Holland farmers committed to 500 acres for the first cucumber growing season, and crews broke ground for the factory on April 19, 1897. The original plant, covering 16,000 square feet, has since grown to 500,000 square feet on 28 acres. At first, the plant only produced pickles. Its capacity was about 250 bushels a day. Within a year, vinegar was added to the production, followed by baked beans. The Holland factory currently receives and processes about 25,000 bushels of cucumbers a day between May and September. ---
Copyright 1997 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---